Ed's After Dark

Several of the bitchy waitstaff at Ed Debevic's go from rude to crude, staging sketch comedy in a back room with bad audio and worse lighting. Starting with a short stand-up bit, they alternate live and video segments. The live ones get mired in a yukless muck of trite gags, but occasionally the vulgar revelry rises to snicker-inducing campiness. The performers aren't afraid to get naked and throw fake poop. The videos boast better production values and tighter writing--more than 40 video bits have been made since the show started last fall. Under editor-performer Travis Cross's sharp knife, they display well-paced, confidently delivered ensemble performances. Perhaps eventually the live sketches will do the same. Open run: Thu 11 PM. Ed Debevic's, 640 N. Wells, 312-664-1707 Free.